Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Superdrag - Last Call For Vitriol (The Arena Rock Recording Co, 2002)

More than just the group who had a minor hit with "Sucked Out" ("Kissing the bride/45 minutes a side") in '96, Superdrag haven't run outta cancer sticks on their latest puff.

Housed in a sharp-looking matchbox cover, Last Call For Vitriol is even more striking sonically. "Baby Goes To 11" is simplistic-yet-great power pop on par with top-shelf Material Issue. The crunchier-than-a-Nestle-candy-bar "The Staggering Genius" and "Stu" make you wonder why SD aren't opening for the Foo Fighters on their current tour. "So Insincere," with its slurred vocalization, plays like an advance track from an upcoming Fountains Of Wayne album. "Safe & Warm" has harmonizing a la The Jayhawks/Wilco if yer a "hipster," or The Eagles/CSN&Y if "huckster" better suits you. "Her Melancholy Tune" gently recalls some of Lennon/McCartney's quieter moments. "Drag Me Closer To You" employs an AC/DC-type rhythm to remind you that Superdrag are, first and foremost, a rock band.

Easily one of the five best el pee's of the double-smoke-ringed decade.

1 comment:

  1. If I'm not mistaken, Superdrag once played a (free?) show at a cramped music store in Norfolk called Camp Zama. Cool place. Owners Bill and Donna were equally chill.

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